Yesterday Once More

4 Aug 2016

3 Songs From 4 Shows

Hi Listeners,

This week our program will have a distinctive show-biz flavour. Musicals have long been the source of popular songs. In fact, single releases of pop songs from shows have achieved much chart success. This week we are presenting three songs from four popular musicals. The accent will be more on the musical itself and where the songs fit in to the show’s context.

The ‘Rocky Horror Show’ has become a perennial favourite for many fans over the years. Numerous re-runs have kept it fresh for many new fans.Its irreverent, sexually charged mood is channelled through songs such as ‘Sweet Transvestite’, ‘Hot Patootie – Bless My Soul’ and the catchy dance tune ‘Time Warp’. Perhaps not as well known today, but certainly a huge success at its initial performance is ‘Stop The World I Want To Get Off’. This musical produced several memorable ballads such as ‘Gonna Build A Mountain’ (Matt Monro), ‘What Kind Of Fool Am I’ (Shirley Bassey) and ‘Once On A Lifetime’ (Anthony Newley).

Two of my favourite musicals are Andrew Lloyd Weber’s stunning ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and Leonard Bernstein’s gripping ‘West Side Story’.’Jesus Christ Superstar’, controversial and bold, showcased some wonderful music and songs, memorable characters and a story familiar to all, yet given a new refreshing treatment. The title song sung by Murray Head (Superstar) is a knockout while ‘Gethsemane’ is a show stopper sung here, surprisingly, by our own John Farnham. Helen Reddy made a big hit out of Mary Magdalen’s song ‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’.

When ‘West Side Story’ was released it caused a sensation. Musicals were not supposed to be about such serious subjects as gang warfare and racism. Yet the ‘Romeo And Juliet’ story set in the slums of New York enthralled audiences with its exuberance, youth and tragic story line. Exuberance is reflected through the energetic satirical ‘America’ while the two power ballads ‘Tonight’ and ‘Maria’ (sung beaufifully here by Johnny Mathis) enhance the tragic love of the two protagonists, Tony and Maria.

Playlist

* Time Warp – Broadway Cast
* Tonight – Broadway Cast
* Gonna Build A Mountain – Matt Monro
* Superstar – Murray Head
* What Kind Of Fool Am I – Shirley Bassey
* America – Broadway Cast
* Sweet Transvestite – Broadway Cast
* Gethsemane – John Farnham
* Hot Patootie-Bless My Soul – Meatloaf
* Maria – Johnny Mathis
* Once In A Lifetime – Anthony Newley
* i Don’ Know How To Love Him – Helen Reddy